Colorado becomes second US state to legalise pot

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Colorado became the second US state to legalise marijuana for recreational use on Monday, as its governor signed a voter-backed proposal into law.

Days after Washington state's pot smokers celebrated the first such law, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed an order legalizing personal use, possession and limited home-growing of marijuana for adults aged at least 21.

Colorado voters backed Amendment 64 legalising marijuana use on November 6, in one of many state referendums held on the same day as the White House election that saw President Barack Obama secure a second term. Mr Hickenlooper - who referendum day quipped that pot smokers should not "break out the Cheetos or Goldfish too quickly" - had 30 days from the election date to sign it into law.

"Voters were loud and clear on Election Day," the governor said as he signed the measure into law. "We will begin working immediately with the (state) General Assembly and state agencies to implement Amendment 64." But he also warned: "It is still illegal under state law to buy or sell marijuana in any quantity and to consume marijuana in public or in a way that endangers others."